Maternal high-fat diet exposure impairs LKB1-TGFβ1 inflammatory pathway and increases hypothalamic 5HT receptors gene...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Metabolic Research

Background:

• The serotonergic system is crucial for regulating mood, feeding, and neurodevelopment.
• Maternal high-fat diet (HFD) intake elevates proinflammatory cytokines, potentially impairing offspring brain development.
• Understanding HFD's impact on the offspring's serotonergic system is vital for metabolic health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of maternal HFD exposure on offspring feeding behavior, somatic growth, and the hypothalamic serotonergic system.
• To identify molecular alterations in the offspring's brain in response to maternal HFD.

Main Methods:

• Wistar rats were used, with dams fed either a control or HFD.
• Offspring were assessed for body weight, fat mass, food intake, and feeding behavior.
• Hypothalamic gene expression and protein phosphorylation related to the serotonergic system and energy metabolism were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Offspring from HFD-fed dams exhibited increased body weight, fat mass, and somatic growth.
• Elevated hypothalamic gene expression of Htr1a, Htr2a, and Tgfb1 was observed.
• Reduced phosphorylation of key signaling proteins (FoxO1, CREB, LKB1) was noted, without changes in leptin or insulin signaling.

Conclusions:

• Maternal HFD exposure induces significant alterations in offspring's somatic growth and hypothalamic serotonergic signaling.
• These changes suggest an early disruption in energy homeostasis, mediated by the serotonergic system.
• Further research is needed to understand the long-term metabolic consequences.